Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai wins top honour for conservation excellence
Home / Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai wins top honour for conservation excellence
October 6th, 2025
The Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project, a flagship initiative of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, has been awarded the prestigious Te Waka o Aoraki trophy at the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board awards – the highest accolade recognising outstanding conservation efforts in the Waitaha Canterbury region.
This award celebrates years of mana whenua-led ecological restoration, acknowledging the project’s progress towards a long-term vision of a landscape that’s rich in mahinga kai and cultural values.
Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd project manager, Sophie McGregor, says the award reflects the strength of the relationships behind the mahi.
“It’s not just Te Taumutu – it’s landowners, councils, funders, catchment groups and whānau all working together, guided by our rūnanga and the whenua.”
“The wetland design was shaped by whānau input and aspirations. Every step of this project has been rūnanga-led, ensuring that mana whenua values are embedded, from the ground level up,” Sophie said.
Environment Canterbury’s partnership programmes lead and project co-manager, David Murphy, says Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai is helping shape a new model for restoration work in Aotearoa.
“This project is distinguished by the leadership of mana whenua across all levels, from governance and decision-making through to delivery on the ground. Te Waka o Aoraki trophy is a meaningful recognition of years of commitment to Te Tiriti-based co-governance in ecological and cultural restoration here in Waitaha,” David said.
“We hope this approach becomes the blueprint for future restoration projects across Aotearoa.”
The project focuses on improving water quality, restoring mahinga kai values and enhancing biodiversity along Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream.
The stream signifies an important whakapapa for the rūnanga, flowing through ancestral sites tied to tīpuna Te Ruahikihiki and his son Moki, whose legacies continue to shape the identity and aspirations of Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki hapū.
Once a thriving source of mahinga kai, the landscape has suffered from generations of land use change, resulting in degraded water quality, loss of cultural values and declining biodiversity
The Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project aims to address three key issues including poor water quality in Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream, the loss of mahinga kai and cultural values from the Te Waikēkēwai landscape, and the loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, resulting from a degradation of the stream, wetland and riparian habitats.
2025: A milestone year for restoration
This year marked significant progress for the project team of five, led by Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd project manager Sophie McGregor.
After years of mahi restoring the lower reaches of the awa/stream between Ngāti Moki marae and Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, the rūnanga expanded their focus upstream, partnering with neighbouring landowners to extend the restoration efforts.
In February, construction began on the restoration of Te Repo o Papatahora, a traditional wetland on whānau land adjacent to the marae. For years, the area had been a dry paddock, however, the removal of 118 eucalyptus trees saw the land begin to return itself to its natural wet landscape.
Pest plant control was also undertaken, and a boardwalk funded by the Rata Foundation was constructed to enable whānau to connect with the repo (swamp).
In parallel, the project team worked with landowners to plant and fence the riparian margins along both sides of Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream and its tributary Papatahora Stream, complimenting existing native plantings and enhancing biodiversity.
A vision for Te Waihora
Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai is part of the wider the Whakaora Te Waihora programme, directed by the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group. Established in 2012, this partnership is one of the most significant voluntary iwi/Crown collaborations in Aotearoa, working to restore and rejuvenate the mana, mauri, and ecosystem of the Te Waihora and its catchment.
The Co-Governance partners – Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, and the Department of Conservation – are delivering a bold cultural and ecological programme to rejuvenate the lake and realise the catchment’s full potential.
Support us
Mā whero, mā pako; ka oti ai te mahi
The task shall be achieved through unity
Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere is one of Aotearoa’s most important wetland habitats – and also one of its most polluted.
To continue this vital mahi, we need your support. We’re seeking investment in new and ongoing initiatives that will enhance the health of Te Waihora and its surrounding environment.
